SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 26th May) written to the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, seeking an urgent meeting to discuss concerns about health and safety at ports and docks in Ireland. SIPTU TEAC Division Organiser, Karan O Loughlin, said: “We have written to Mr Ryan because we believe that the issue of injuries and fatalities at ports and docks in Ireland needs attention at the highest political level. “SIPTU representatives have been endeavouring to raise this issue directly with the Doyle Shipping Group, at whose facility in Dublin Port the latest tragic fatality occurred. However, the company will not respond to concerns raised by workers on this issue and is ignoring requests to meet worker representatives. This is not acceptable and action is needed now to prevent further injury and death in our ports and docks.” Karan O Loughlin added: “The union has also made contact with the Health and Safety Authority. It is time to look at the number and causes of injuries and fatalities in our ports and docks with a view to developing an industry wide solution. It is no longer feasible to deal with safety on a company-by-company basis as this is an industry problem. All stakeholders need to be part of that solution, including the workers whose lives could be at risk if the required changes are not made.”
SIPTU seeks urgent meeting with transport minister on port and docks safety
